In a car crash or other incident involving multiple vehicles the police may investigate whether the driver of any of the vehicles is under the influence of or intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, and are not limited to investigating and arresting only the driver who was at fault in the accident, for example.
In Georgia, when a car crash or other incident involving multiple vehicles occurs, law enforcement officers have the authority to investigate all drivers involved for possible impairment due to alcohol or drugs. This means that even if a driver is not at fault for the accident, they can still be subject to investigation and potential arrest if there is reasonable suspicion or evidence of intoxication. Georgia law, under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), provides police officers with the right to request field sobriety tests and chemical tests (such as breath, blood, or urine tests) to determine a driver's level of intoxication. Refusal to submit to these tests can result in automatic license suspension under Georgia's implied consent law. If a driver is found to be under the influence, they may face charges for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), regardless of their role in the accident.